If you bought Verizon's first 4G phone, start checking for updates now: the carrier has finally approved the Android 4.0 update (codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich) for the HTC Thunderbolt. The only problem? The Thunderbolt has been on the market since March of 2011, and Ice Cream Sandwich came out seven months later in October—not exactly a great turn-around time.

For anyone still using a Thunderbolt, it's nice that the phone is being updated at all rather than being fated to run Gingerbread forever, as has been the case for so many other phones. But the Thunderbolt's update still sums up pretty much everything that's wrong with the Android ecosystem's ever-worsening software fragmentation problems: this phone is still two major updates behind the current release of Android, and it's only receiving the update as the first customers who bought the phone on a two-year contract are becoming eligible for a new phone anyway.

Enlarge/ Gingerbread and its predecessors still account for over 50 percent of all Android devices accessing Google Play as of February 4.

The new features that many Android users are missing out on are just part of the problem—the more pressing issue is security. Flaws in the built-in Android browser, apps, and the Android operating system itself are going completely unpatched for months or years, which stands in sharp contrast with the more rapid security patches that Microsoft publishes for Windows (just to pick a prominent example).

There's enough blame to spread around here—all of the OEMs are slow to publish updates, if they publish them at all. The mobile phone carriers introduce additional delays with their validation and testing procedures—Verizon is by far the worst offender in this regard, as even Verizon Galaxy Nexus handsets (which, in theory, should receive direct-from-Google updates promptly) are still waiting for news about November's Android 4.2 update. Google's proposed Android Update Alliance was mentioned briefly at Google I/O in 2011 before vanishing, never to be heard from again. With Gingerbread (and older versions) still accounting for well over 50 percent of all Android devices, it's clear that something needs to be done about this issue—it's just not clear that anyone is going to step up and do it.

Promoted Comments

It's not ignoring the reality, it is the reality. There's two types of updates here - there's security patches and then there's an entire new O/S. I have no problem with the former, but most people seem to be complaining about the lack of the latter.

Just because 'new stuff' is introduced on the Internet doesn't grant you the right to demand that your old phone can join in on the fun.

Problem is there is no way to get one with out the other. Security fixes are only included in the new versions of the OS that also have new features. Currently on Android this even includes the browser. Sure you can install other browsers and update them independently but the stock browser is still there and I'm sure still exploitable.

The carriers will play this game until somone manages to exploit a bunch of unpatched phones. But it will have to be a really big, high-profile thing, like someone manages to DDoS Verizon's entire network using unpatched Android handsets. Then they'll figure out how to get patches out to phones faster.

I have an HTC MyTouch 4g on Tmobile, which shares quite a bit of DNA with the Thunderbolt, and just today I saw a "software update available" notification which was not at all like a normal google play store software update notification.

Turns out HTC pushed out updates to the messaging app, the voice recorder, and two other functions that didn't impress me. I think voice mail was one, but I use gVoice anyway.

Well as Thunderbolt user, this makes my day~ Glad I refreshed the Ars homepage before shutting down. Also as a Thunderbolt user with a soon to expire contract, I'm still not renewing my contract and getting another phone. I'll likely go for a Nexus 4 for my next 4 or whatever is the current phone from the Nexus line when i'm ready to buy. There is something to say for timely updates.

Edit: Also, I seriously thought this day would NEVER come. With all the other updates, always felt the Thunderbolt was forgotten, despite having good hardware, particularly for the time of release and still relatively good among modern (non-top of the line) android phones.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

Except for when one of those "things it can do today" is receive updates. Especially security updates. Google does all the hard work as far as building new versions of the OS, the handset makers are just lazy because they already have your money. It's shooting themselves in the foot out of pure foolishness though. Any idiot with a cell phone can tell you that getting a new one every two years is pretty standard for most people. HTC slacks off big time on updates because it already has my money this time, but it's not getting it a second time.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

You should get security updates at a bare minimum for at least 4 years. Smartphones can carry large swaths of personal info, maybe even more than a home PC. Would you really want to run your computer on an unpatched version of Vista? Because that's kinda like what this is like.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

That kind of ignores the reality of technology and the Internet. As standards change and new stuff is introduced, it often breaks compatibility with older stuff - if your hardware doesn't keep up, eventually it's going to stop being able to do all the stuff that it can do now. Imagine a computer running IE6 - fine for email and stuff ten years ago, nearly unusable today. And that's to say nothing of potentially compromising security vulnerabilities.

So if my Thunderbolt hadn't been stolen, thanks in part to HTC's execrable customer service (step 1: set up free theft-protection plan. Step 2: terminate said plan without notifying customers. Step 3: profit?), I could finally get ICS on it, if I felt like going back to Sense instead of a UI that isn't crap, when I'm not playing around with 4.2 on my N7. Hooray.

Seems to be beating a dead horse. At this point, if you buy Android, either:

1. You are prepared to maintain the software yourself with the help of the community.2. You have bought a Nexus device.3. You don't care about software updates.

You might consider this part of 3, but many people value certain things (especially a low price) more than updates. All things being equal, they might like being as up to date as possible, but all things are not equal, and a lot of people don't find that's worth hundreds of dollars. It's a little like buying a used car - I might like a new Porsche, but I'd hate my bill.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

I do feel that unless your hardware is obsolete you should expect regular updates (security patches and such) and since it's not a pay for OS, actual version updates. Though I don't expect the carrier to foot the bill for bandwidth to deliver the update over their network. Just provide a Wi-Fi option or downloadable executable to update with via USB cable.

So if my Thunderbolt hadn't been stolen, thanks in part to HTC's execrable customer service (step 1: set up free theft-protection plan. Step 2: terminate said plan without notifying customers. Step 3: profit?), I could finally get ICS on it, if I felt like going back to Sense instead of a UI that isn't crap, when I'm not playing around with 4.2 on my N7. Hooray.

Seems to be beating a dead horse. At this point, if you buy Android, either:

1. You are prepared to maintain the software yourself with the help of the community.2. You have bought a Nexus device.3. You don't care about software updates.

You might consider this part of 3, but many people value certain things (especially a low price) more than updates. All things being equal, they might like being as up to date as possible, but all things are not equal, and a lot of people don't find that's worth hundreds of dollars. It's a little like buying a used car - I might like a new Porsche, but I'd hate my bill.

I value updates quite a bit. Technology is slowly turning my phone into a wallet as well. Thats a lot of personnel information that scammers are incentivized to try and break in through.

Forget features. I can live without. I want to make sure all bugs are patched. All the time. As soon as possible.

Of course I say this while I am yet again being reminded that java and adobe have a new update for me to install...again...

None of the players that are involved with the update process have any incentives to do the updates. The manufactures would rather you bought a new phone as would the carriers. End users would benifit from updates, of course, but the manufacturers don't sell to them and the carriers only care about the hardware as far as it allows them to lock-in users.

Until the incentives in the handset market change, updates will continue to be rare and late.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

Except for when one of those "things it can do today" is receive updates. Especially security updates. Google does all the hard work as far as building new versions of the OS, the handset makers are just lazy because they already have your money. It's shooting themselves in the foot out of pure foolishness though. Any idiot with a cell phone can tell you that getting a new one every two years is pretty standard for most people. HTC slacks off big time on updates because it already has my money this time, but it's not getting it a second time.

NO, laziness has nothing to do with it. Exploiting customers has everything to do with it. Like the story says, "it's only receiving the update as customers who bought the phone on a two-year contract are becoming eligible for a new phone anyway". So you can update your phone, or you can replace it with the new shiny for little-to-nothing up-front... and another 2-year contract.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

I do feel that unless your hardware is obsolete you should expect regular updates (security patches and such) and since it's not a pay for OS, actual version updates. Though I don't expect the carrier to foot the bill for bandwidth to deliver the update over their network. Just provide a Wi-Fi option or downloadable executable to update with via USB cable.

I agree. I always hate to see perfectly good hardware purposely become obsolete because a company won't release updated software for it. I understand that sometimes it just doesn't make economic sense to do so but it really bothers me to see so much e-waste that results from this practice.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

Yeah, I know right. It's not like there was an Android OS bug that sent texts to random people when you didn't want it to. You should never expect them to do anything than shove any old shit they have laying around on their customers. Smeesh. The entitlements indeed. People want their things to work, even after they paid for it? Buncha freeloading hippies!

I'm on Virgin Mobile because it's the cheapest plan for me. My first smart phone was the Samsung Intercept and I currently have a Motorola Triumph. I am annoyed that these phone did/do have bugs but they will never be addressed with a software update.

Do Windows 8 and Blackberry 10 phones have the same problems? Would they be updated more frequently than Android phones?

Seems to be beating a dead horse. At this point, if you buy Android, either:

1. You are prepared to maintain the software yourself with the help of the community.2. You have bought a Nexus device.3. You don't care about software updates.

You might consider this part of 3, but many people value certain things (especially a low price) more than updates. All things being equal, they might like being as up to date as possible, but all things are not equal, and a lot of people don't find that's worth hundreds of dollars. It's a little like buying a used car - I might like a new Porsche, but I'd hate my bill.

Buy a used computer and you'll continue getting updates to Windows. Buy an ancient computer running Windows XP and you'd still be receiving updates today! You'll continue receiving security updates for another full year.

And, your phone getting hacked can easily cost you money, even if you never do any sort of shopping/banking on it, because of those premium numbers (there's been a few articles are Ars about those). And with future phones with Google Wallet... it's even worse situation, because people will have their credit cards stored on a horribly insecure device that's generally always connected to the Internet.

Unlike physical constructs (like a car), software is trivially easy to modify later. And Google has already done a majority of the work for them, they just have to fix their kernel modules, do validation, and push it out... but that's too much for them, because there's more profit to be made by doing what they currently do.

At the risk of being labelled an Apple shill, the OS updating issue through carriers is why I finally left both Android and contracts behind.

I had purchased a Motorola Photon during the time it was still a "flagship" phone for Android. It did not receive the oft-promised update (to Jelly Bean??) and development of alternatives on XDA didn't go too far.

The feeling of being locked into a two-year contract with a device that wouldn't be updated to recent, more secure OS versions for the life of the contract turned me off to both Android and contracts. (I do have and use Android devices, just no longer phones.)

It isn't unreasonable, given the amount people pay over the life of a contract, to expect to get two years of reliable use on a secure, up-to-date device.

So if my Thunderbolt hadn't been stolen, thanks in part to HTC's execrable customer service (step 1: set up free theft-protection plan. Step 2: terminate said plan without notifying customers. Step 3: profit?), I could finally get ICS on it, if I felt like going back to Sense instead of a UI that isn't crap, when I'm not playing around with 4.2 on my N7. Hooray.

At least the criminal is going to be able to enjoy ICS. :-)

Personally I'm hoping they haven't figured out how to un-root the phone and it just bricked on them. But I'm vindictive that way.

The carriers will play this game until somone manages to exploit a bunch of unpatched phones. But it will have to be a really big, high-profile thing, like someone manages to DDoS Verizon's entire network using unpatched Android handsets. Then they'll figure out how to get patches out to phones faster.

Nah, they'll just raise their fees and claim it's covered by their terms of service.

I don't get the sense of entitlement. I mean, you but a phone/car/horse for what it can do today. Sure, it's nice if software updates to newer O/S versions are forthcoming, but I don't think you should expect it.

Your point would be valid if we were talking about a device whose main utility requires interoperability with other networked devices (the Internet and/or cell networks). I don't expect to see software updates to my Sega Genesis or Sony Playstation 1.

Cell phones are useful only if they can communicate with other phones and transfer data through internet-connected services with other computers. As technology and the Internet evolves, these services change. Not to mention the problem of securing personal information on a device that is always connected to the Internet and cell networks. Receiving free, regular software updates to our smartphones is pretty much required in the kind of ecosystem that they operate in.

HTC already had to adapt the then-current version of Android for the Thunderbolt in the first place. But that didn't take anywhere close to 2 years.

So what was the holdup for the next version? Why didn't HTC software engineers get crackin' on the next version of Android immediately after it was released?

One possible reason: HTC doesn't get another dime until you buy your next phone... so from their standpoint any additional time spent on software for older phones is of little benefit to them financially.

So maybe it's the carrier's fault... but the carriers get their $80 a month no matter what phone you use and what OS it uses. It shouldn't matter to them.

Anyway you slice it... getting the newest version of Android is a challenge to say the least.

Seems to be beating a dead horse. At this point, if you buy Android, either:

1. You are prepared to maintain the software yourself with the help of the community.2. You have bought a Nexus device.3. You don't care about software updates.

You might consider this part of 3, but many people value certain things (especially a low price) more than updates. All things being equal, they might like being as up to date as possible, but all things are not equal, and a lot of people don't find that's worth hundreds of dollars. It's a little like buying a used car - I might like a new Porsche, but I'd hate my bill.

Yes, those people are part of 3. And if you want to compare it to buying a used car, consider this: What if used car buyers were excluded from any and all vehicle recalls? What if budget car manufacturers were exempt from providing recalls? Not pretty.

That's exactly why i'm sticking with the nexus line directly from google. I'm not stuck with carrier timeline, and i'm not stuck with carriers at all. I don't receive my updates at the moment they are released, but at least i receive them only a few months after. I don't understand why peoples still choose to go with a "carrier phone".

Yeah, I know right. It's not like there was an Android OS bug that sent texts to random people when you didn't want it to. You should never expect them to do anything than shove any old shit they have laying around on their customers. Smeesh. The entitlements indeed. People want their things to work, even after they paid for it? Buncha freeloading hippies!

You probably saw aminoid’s response above yours: it’s fair to expect security updates, but not feature updates. Anything you get after you buy your phone is just free goodies.

It's not ignoring the reality, it is the reality. There's two types of updates here - there's security patches and then there's an entire new O/S. I have no problem with the former, but most people seem to be complaining about the lack of the latter.

Just because 'new stuff' is introduced on the Internet doesn't grant you the right to demand that your old phone can join in on the fun.

Problem is there is no way to get one with out the other. Security fixes are only included in the new versions of the OS that also have new features. Currently on Android this even includes the browser. Sure you can install other browsers and update them independently but the stock browser is still there and I'm sure still exploitable.